Abstract: A dual attachment arm auxiliary or tag axle system for a work vehicle of the class including transit concrete mixer trucks utilizes an improved pivotal mounting system that is more rugged and dependable than previous systems and reduces associated pivot mount wear. The system uses a through-the-chassis member mounting which includes a spaced stabilizing arm to provide dual attachment for each arm and to prevent problems associated with a cantilevered arrangement. The improved mounting joints may take any of several forms. The through-the-chassis member configuration maximizes the distance behind the transit concrete mixing vehicle that the tag axle extends.

Abstract: An assembly which is adapted for mounting inside a mixing drum (18) and a mobile system for mixing and dispensing concrete includes a spiral fin assembly (36) for mixing and guiding a substance when the mixing drum (18) is rotated. The fin assembly (36) is constructed of a lightweight polymeric material which is resistant to abrasion, is many times lighter than steel, and tends to wear smooth rather than rough, which increases the cleanability of the fin structure over its entire design life. Novel structure for securing the fin assembly (36) to an outer wall (38) of the mixing drum (18), novel structure of fin assembly (36), and novel structure for connection of adjacent fin sections are also disclosed.

Abstract: An assembly which is adapted for mounting inside a mixing drum (18) and a mobile system for mixing and dispensing concrete includes a spiral fin assembly (36) for mixing and guiding a substance when the mixing drum (18) is rotated. The fin assembly (36) is constructed of a lightweight polymeric material which is resistant to abrasion, is many times lighter than steel, and tends to wear smooth rather than rough, which increases the cleanability of the fin structure over its entire design life. Novel structure for securing the fin assembly (36) to an outer wall (38) of the mixing drum (18), novel structure of fin assembly (36), and novel structure for connection of adjacent fin sections are disclosed.

Abstract: A tailgate latching mechanism for latching a vertical tailgate to the rear structure of the truck body of a rearward or side compacting, rear discharge refuse truck in which the tailgate is pivotally mounted from pivot pins in top hinges fixed to the top rear of the truck body. The mechanism includes upper and lower pairs of spaced, vertically interlocking side latches for absorbing the horizontal forces associated with compacting and compacted refuse when latched, a pair of self-aligning vertical stops to prevent vertical displacement of the tailgate when closed, and a system for vertically adjusting the pivot pins allowing vertical displacement of the tailgate associated with latching and unlatching the vertically interlocking latches. Bottom drop in retainers are also provided.

Abstract: An improved discharge chute assembly for use with a concrete mixing truck includes improved chute components which are fabricated from a fiberglass reinforced polyurethane structural frame possessing necessary flexural and impact properties and a polyurethane liner possessing necessary wear resistance and hardness. The polymeric materials tends to remain smooth during wear and permit chutes according to the invention to be manufactured much lighter than those heretofore known.

Abstract: A transportable concrete batching plant is disclosed which combines improvements in the discharge section of the aggregate storage bin and aggregate batching hopper together with an unique suspension system which allows for weighing of both aggregate batching hopper and the cement batching vessel by a plurality of load cells and which also allows tension to be removed from the load cells if desired.

Abstract: An improved tag axle system disclosed which is designed to be accommodated by the tailgate structure of a rear-loading trash compacting refuse truck to provide auxiliary support to prevent overloading of the rear axle of the truck and to better distribute the relative weight carried by all axles of the truck assembly. The system uses a pair of aligned spaced stub axles each having its own separate suspension system and mechanism which operates to raise and lower a wheel assembly. The systems are located on either side of the tailgate assembly and are preferably built as an integral part of it. The axles are further configured so as to be raised or lowered with the use of pneumatic springs.

Abstract: An improved oil tank for storing hydraulic fluid and the hydraulically-powered system is fabricated from a polymeric material which is resistant to chemical breakdown from oil. The tank is constructed in a manner which facilitates internal circulation of hydraulic oil during use. The novel configuration of the tank lends itself to inexpensive fabrication through a rotational molding process. The tank is lightweight, inexpensive to manufacture, and is particularly advantageous for use in vehicle-mounted hydraulic drive systems.

Abstract: An improved trailer for a tractor-trailer combination is disclosed. The trailer has a first frame member which is designed to support a heavy load. Associated with the first frame member is a hitch pin assembly which can be slid along a portion of the first frame member and locked in pre-selected locations. The trailer also includes a rear slider assembly which carries the axles and wheels of the trailer. The rear slider assembly is also capable of being longitudinally slid between extended and retracted positions with respect to the first frame member. Locking means are also provided for locking the rear slider assembly to the first frame member at the desired location.

Abstract: An improved discharge chute assembly for use with a concrete mixing truck includes improved chute components which are fabricated from a high strength, lightweight polymeric material. The polymeric material tends to remain smooth during wear, and permits chutes according to the invention to be manufactured much lighter than those heretofore known. According to a second aspect of the invention, an improved connecting joint structure is provided which is simple to connect and disconnect, and will not become jammed with wet concrete. Both the chute components and joint structure are constructed with smooth outer surfaces to avoid catching on clothing or other fabric. The combination of lightweight chute components and the improved joint structure yields a discharge chute assembly which is safer and more efficient to deploy at a construction site.

Abstract: An assembly which is adapted for mounting inside a mixing drum and a mobile system for mixing and dispensing concrete includes fin structure for mixing and guiding a substance when the mixing drum is rotated. The fin structure is constructed of a lightweight polymeric material which is resistant to abrasion and is many times lighter than steel. As a result, the weight of such a system is reduced in comparison to systems which were heretofore known. Preferably, the fin structure is fabricated from a polymer which tends to wear smooth rather than rough, which increases the cleanability of the fin structure over its entire design life. Novel structure for securing the fin structure to an outer wall of the mixing drum is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pneumatic system for (a) raising and lowering the tag axle assembly and (b) applying a variable downward force to the wheels of the tag axle assembly when the wheels are in their ground engaging position. This system disclosed is intended to be tied into the pneumatic brake system which comes standard on most heavy duty work vehicles. The entire system is also controllable from the vehicle's cab.

Abstract: An add-on wheel/axle assembly for truck-type vehicles for reducing the effective axle load of the vehicle allowing the carrying of greater payloads without violating Governmentally imposed road restrictions. The assembly includes a hydraulically actuatable articulated arm assembly where one end of a first arm link is pivotally joined to opposed sides of the truck frame proximate its rear end and with wheels mounted on stub axles affixed to the other ends of said arm assemblies. A cross-member offset by a predetermined distance from the stub axles joins the arm assemblies together and a hydraulic cylinder is operatively coupled between the truck frame and the articulated arms for extending and retracting the wheels between a ground-engaging disposition and an elevated disposition. Further hydraulic cylinders also cooperate with the articulated arms to draw the wheels in a straddling disposition relative to the truck frame when the wheels are in their elevated disposition.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for automatically welding sheet metal panels to form part of a revolving drum for concrete transit mixers. The apparatus includes a fixture having an annular central core, linear and generally longitudinal ribs extended away from the core, and circumferential ribs extended radially outwardly of the core. The ribs intersect to define compartments in the fixture which are closed when the sheet metal panels are placed on the fixture. The compartments are then evacuated, creating a pressure differential to fix the panels on the fixture. A welding carriage is slidably supported on a rail above the fixture. The fixture can be tilted to selectively align panels along the rail for welding linear seams. Circumferential seams are welded by rotation of the fixture while the carriage is held stationary. To more positively maintain the panels in place during welding, compartments along the interfacing edges of adjacent panels are subjected to a higher vacuum.

Abstract: A concrete mixing vehicle having a retractable tag axle assembly and a distribution chute is disclosed. To ensure that the tag axle assembly does not come into contact with the distribution chute as the tag axle assembly as it moves between a first ground engaging position and a second elevated position, a limit switch is provided in the control circuit for the tag axle assembly. The limit switch only permits movement of the tag axle assembly when the distribution chute is outside of the tag axle assembly's path of travel as it moves between said first and second positions.

Abstract: An auxiliary tag axle assembly for a work vehicle such as a ready-mix concrete truck which is positionable via actuation of a linear actuator to extend the wheel assembly from the rear end of the vehicle's frame to a ground engaging disposition and retractable to a stowed position where the wheels straddle the rear end of the frame and with the auxiliary axle elevated to a position above the level of the bottom of the frame. The need for plural actuators is obviated by utilizing a flexible cable of a predetermined length to effect desired movement of the working parts upon extension and retraction of the main linear actuator.

Abstract: An add-on wheel/axle assembly for truck-type vehicles for reducing the effective axle load of the vehicle allowing the carrying of greater payloads without violating governmentally imposed road restrictions. The assembly includes a hydraulically actuatable articulated arm assembly where one end of a first arm link is pivotally joined to opposed sides of the truck frame proximate its rear end and with wheels mounted on stub axles affixed to the other ends of said arm assemblies. A cross-member offset by a predetermined distance from the stub axles joins the arm assemblies together and a hydraulic cylinder is operatively coupled between the truck frame and the articulated arms for extending and retracting the wheels between a ground-engaging disposition and an elevated disposition. Tie bars and associated bell cranks also cooperate with the articulated arms to draw the wheels in a straddling disposition relative to the truck frame when the wheels are in their elevated disposition.

Abstract: A tag axle assembly and means for mounting it to a transit concrete mixing truck are disclosed. The assembly includes a tag axle frame having a forward, longitudinally extended stem and two rearwardly extending and diverging legs. The stem is mounted to a support frame by a pivot axle to pivot about a horizontal transverse axis. The support frame in turn is attached to the truck chassis. A flexible sleeve, connected between the pivot axle and stem, allows limited stem rotation about a longitudinal axis and a vertical transverse axis, permitting wheels supported by the legs to readily adjust to uneven terrain and to follow the steering and drive wheels of the truck without transverse skidding. The tag axle assembly is pivoted between operating and raised positions by a pair of pneumatic load springs extensible to pivot the assembly downward to the operating position, and a pair of pneumatic lift springs extensible to pivot the assembly upward to the raised position.

Abstract: The specification discloses linkage assemblies (16, 59) for effecting selective pivotal movement of hinged structures. The invention is particularly adapted for use with sectional chute assemblies of concrete mixers, either for moving adjacent chute sections between extended and retracted positions, or for swinging the entire chute assembly.